functionalism, strain and subculture Flashcards
what 2 things does Durkheim think is essential in order for society to work
social control and socialization
two reasons why crime is inevitable
1) due to lack of socialization into norms and values of mainstream society
2) due to a diversity and lifestyle differences there are different subcultures and this will result in different norms
two positive functions of crime
1) boundary maintenance- creates solidarity by punishing the wrongdoer
2) adaptation and change- all change starts with acts of deviance
what are the 4 names of the other sociologists who believe that crime has positive functions
1) Polsky- who argues that pornography acts as a safe way to channel sexual desires without committing adultery
2) Davis- argues that prostitution acts as a safety valve which stops people from harming monogamous nuclear families
3) Erikson stated that a certain level of crime is needed in order to be maintained by social agents
4) Cohen- shows that there are problems within institutions eg truancy tells us there is a problem within the education system.
3 criticism of Durkheim
1) he doesn’t state how much deviance is required in order for society to work
2) doesn’t create solidarity as it could force women to stay home out of fear of being attacked.
3)functional for whom as it isn’t functional for the victim for a murder to be punished as it creates solidarity for everyone.
Merton’s strain theory overall is discussing what?
That not everyone can be successful through legitimate means so they turn to illegitimate means instead
what is the strain between?
the strain is between the unequal opportunity structures and the different goals that the culture encourages individuals to achieve
the American dream?
Americans are expected to pursue this goal by legitimate means but there are many disadvantaged people who are blocked from certain opportunities as it puts frustrations into the disadvantaged peoples minds.
what are the 5 different types of adaptation Merton suggests
1) Ritualism
2) retreatism
3) innovation
4) rebellion
5) conformity
3 criticisms of Merton’s theory
1) it takes official crime statistics at face value which overly represents the working class
2) It assumes there is a value consensus that everyone strives for money success
3) it explains how deviance results from individuals adaptations to strain to anomie but ignores the role of delinquent subcultures
what does Cohen talk about
Status frustration- working class boys in school suffer from cultural deprivation and cannot achieve status from legitimate means
what does Cohen say this leads to?
Alternative status hierarchy- finding status within subcultures eg vandalizing and truanting.
what are the 3 subcultures Cloward and Ohlin coin?
1) conflict- violence is a way people can release their frustrations due to having blocked opportunities. They also gain status by winning territory over other gangs
2) criminal- degree apprenticeship in utilitarian crime
3) retreatism- double failures
